Kentucky bishops: Nations have right to borders, but actions in US causing ‘hostility, anxiety, and fear’

This is from CatholicVote

“Nations have a right and responsibility to control their borders and to enforce laws meant to protect the population, but all laws must be enforced in a just and predictable manner that respects the God-given dignity of each human person,” the bishops wrote in the statement.

The bishops quoted Pope Leo’s comments on Nov. 18 about immigration, when the Pontiff reflected that, although the U.S. has the right to determine “who and when” anyone comes into the country, everyone must always be treated humanely, in keeping with the dignity they possess.

The bishops said that immigrants have been facing many challenges in recent months.

“Regular reports of immigrants with legal status having that status arbitrarily revoked; increasing incidents of political leaders vilifying immigrants; the elimination of sanctuary protections for churches, hospitals, and schools; and proposals at the state level targeting the ability of immigrants to live and pursue their dreams in Kentucky, combine to create an understandable climate of hostility, anxiety, and fear,” they wrote.

**********************

“We oppose all efforts to stigmatize immigrants as a group or to spread fear based on national or ethnic origin,” they wrote. “We stand with all of our immigrant brothers and sisters who have been victimized by unjust government action or by harmful rhetoric and vilification.”

The bishops called on political leaders to work toward immigration reform, allowing “for the peaceful and orderly migration of people who are searching for peace, stability, religious freedom, and economic opportunity, as well as one that respects family unification and a realistic possibility of potentially obtaining citizenship.”

Concluding, the bishops invited Catholics and people of good will to learn more about the challenges immigrants face and Catholic social teaching on immigration, encouraging people to advocate for “just and comprehensive laws and policies that respond to the requirements of human rights and dignity and reflect the desire for the common good in our nation.”